Canada has a chance to accelerate credible climate action - but only if organisations build the skills and expertise needed to meet global expectations.
Many Canadian companies are exploring science-based targets. Yet only 167 companies currently have validated targets under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). For an economy of Canada’s scale, the number is low.
You see this gap when you look at the wider picture:
• Canada has more than 20,000 medium and large employers
• Over 1,000 Canadian companies operate in sectors with well-established SBTi guidance
• The EU shows far higher adoption rates across similar industries
• Many Canadian firms have climate commitments, but few have validated SBTi targets
The message is clear. Organisations lack the technical skills, internal capacity, and specialist support needed to prepare and validate science-based targets. Upskilling and accreditation are becoming essential for both companies and advisors.
To address this capability gap, the Global Advisory Alliance (GAA) and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) are co-hosting a Canada-focused session on SBTi Certification for Canadian Companies and Sustainability Advisors. The session takes place online on Tuesday 2 December 2025, 12:00–13:00 Toronto time (UTC -05:00).
You will hear from:
• Maddie Booth, Science Based Targets initiative
• Juliette Briey, Science Based Targets initiative
• Sujay Sarkar, EPt, SCR®, MBA – the first SBTi-certified expert
• Ross Mitchell, PhD – founding advisor at the Global Advisory Alliance
• Sandra Kesseler, CPA, CA – corporate sustainability leader and former VP, ESG Integration and Reporting at Loblaw Companies Ltd
They will share practical experience from both the corporate and advisory sides, explain how certification works in practice, and outline the skills companies need as climate standards evolve.
Who should attend
• Professionals considering SBTi certification
• Carbon accounting specialists
• ESG and climate reporting leads
• Chief Sustainability Officers and sustainability teams
• Climate and sustainability advisors
What participants will learn
• The role of SBTi in defining credible corporate climate targets
• Why certification and technical training are becoming essential
• First-hand insight from a certified expert who completed the full curriculum
• Common challenges companies face when developing and validating targets
• How certification supports credibility, consistency, and internal capability
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how the SBTi landscape is changing - and how to stay ahead by investing in the technical skills and structures that credible climate action now requires.
Date: Tuesday, 2 December 2025Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Toronto (UTC -05:00)Format: Online
Registration link: https://lnkd.in/gtkY_s4b
LinkedIn event page: https://lnkd.in/e_6Sduhp
The speakers underline the urgency of strengthening internal skills and clarity around SBTi expectations.
Juliette Briey (SBTi)
"Canadian companies are making progress on climate action, but validated science-based targets remain low. Building internal capability has emerged as one of the biggest barriers to scaling credible climate commitments. SBTi Certification gives professionals the confidence and competence to apply SBTi requirements accurately across diverse contexts, making decision-making more informed and enhancing the quality of advice given to clients."
Ross Mitchell (GAA)
“The challenge isn’t only technical. Many Canadian firms are still unsure how SBTi fits within their ESG priorities and what it means for procurement, reporting and investor expectations. The companies that close that knowledge gap first will lead the market as climate expectations tighten.”
Sandra Kesseler (former VP ESG reporting at Loblaw)
"To meet climate commitments, large companies must establish in-house teams equipped with a strong understanding of SBTi methodologies, reporting requirements, and the operational changes they demand. Without these critical skills, fulfilling their commitments will be challenging."
About the Global Advisory Alliance (GAA):
The Global Advisory Alliance is a new professional platform that enables senior independent advisors to deliver high-impact, practical solutions to clients worldwide. GAA provides the infrastructure, visibility, and business development support advisors need to scale their impact- while offering clients direct access to trusted experts without unnecessary overhead. From strategy to governance, ESG to capital markets, GAA is a smarter way to access independent, top-tier advice.
For media inquiries or more information about the Global Advisory Alliance, please contact:
Karel Krticka - +44 7534 473345 | email: team@globaladvisoryalliance.com
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